Men’s Basketball Picked Second in MAC Preseason Poll

CLEVELAND – The Akron men's basketball team, winner of two of the last three Mid-American Conference Tournament titles, has been picked to finish second in the MAC East the league office announced in its preseason poll on Wednesday.

The Zips received eight first-place votes and 104 total points in the poll as rival Kent State was tabbed as the favorite in the east with 16 first-place votes and 132 total points. Following the two rivals in the poll were Ohio (94 points), Miami (Ohio) (80 points), Buffalo (62 points) and Bowling Green (32 points).

Akron received six votes to win the FirstEnergy MAC Tournament, second-most to Kent State's 12 votes.

In the West, Western Michigan was tabbed as the favorite to win the division with 14 first-place votes and 128 points. The Broncos were followed by Ball State (111 points), Central Michigan (92 points), Toledo (76 points), Northern Illinois (59 points) and Eastern Michigan (38 points).

The Zips open the 2011-12 season on Thursday, Nov. 3, when they play host to John Carroll in the squad's only exhibition game. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. ET.

Season, mini-plans and single-game tickets are available for the contest and the rest of Akron's home contests. Tickets can be purchased online anytime at GoZips.com/tickets, or from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET on Mondays through Fridays by either calling 1-888-99-AKRON (25766) or visiting The C.P. and Cornelia S. Chima Athletics Ticket Office at InfoCision Stadium - Summa Field (located at 375 E. Exchange Street, near Gate 1 at the southwest corner of the venue, at the corner of E. Exchange and S. Union streets).